Authorities Say Sinkholes in Savannakhet Caused by Erosion, Not Mining

Authorities Say Sinkholes in Savannakhet Caused by Erosion, Not Mining

Authorities have confirmed that eight sinkholes discovered in Savannakhet province formed through a natural geological process and do not stem from nearby mining operations as originally assumed by residents.

Villagers found the sinkholes, ranging from 2 to 4 meters in diameter, near irrigation canals and rice paddies on the morning of 9 July in Nongkadang village, Vilabouly district, after images and videos spread widely on social media. 

Authorities coordinated immediately with local officials that same day to verify the reports and gather preliminary information for the public.

Following an on-site investigation, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC) assessed the incident as a natural cause rooted in the area’s underlying limestone structure. Years of water erosion carved underground voids beneath the surface, and recent heavy rainfall triggered subsidence of the topsoil above them.

MOIC noted that similar sinkholes formed in the same area four to five years ago, and that the pattern closely resembles a sinkhole event that struck Thongkhanoy village, Hinboun district, Khammouane province, in May.

Vilabouly, in northeastern Savannakhet, forms part of Laos’ main gold mining belt alongside neighboring Sepone district, home to the country’s largest gold mining site. Rich in copper and gold, the area ranks among Southeast Asia’s oldest metallurgy sites.

Given this backdrop, authorities moved quickly to clarify that the sinkholes bear no connection to any mining activity.

According to MOIC, a provincial technical team is now traveling to the site to work with district officials and Lane Xang Minerals Limited, which operates the mine there, to inspect the area, gather further data, and assess its safety.

A Pattern of Mining-Linked Sinkholes Elsewhere

The clarification comes as Laos has weathered a string of sinkhole incidents tied to mining in recent months. 

In Thongmang village, Xaythany district, Vientiane Capital, a series of collapses since May 2025, linked to underground potash extraction, culminated in a sinkhole on 2 January that left four people missing and prompted authorities to evacuate 38 households. 

Khammouane province has also recorded sinkholes near potash mining sites in recent years, fueling public concern whenever new sinkholes emerge near extraction zones.